Why Xi Jinping cares so much about ending poverty in China: the political significance behind the campaign
National goal of becoming a ‘moderately affluent society’ by 2021 has prompted a serious drive to improve the lot of poorer households
Yao Shiwei, a migrant worker from southwestern Guizhou province, had been feeling at the end of his tether for quite some time.
He was seriously injured in a car accident two years ago when he was delivering construction materials in Hainan and broke both his legs. His wife visited him in hospital on the night of the accident but she left him for good after learning how severe his injuries were and how big the hospital bills would be.
Months later, after Yao left Hainan with two steel rods in his legs, he underwent the two-hour journey over zigzagging mountain roads to his home in Cizhu village only to find that his small house built from mud had collapsed and the roof was missing.
The 47-year-old had to take his eight-year-old son to live with his elder brother, who had just built a house made from bricks. He lost his only source of income and the only thing he could do for his son was cook meals.
Just when Yao was feeling desperate, he was told he would get 400 yuan (US$60) a month in low-income subsidies and a flat for free in the city of Bijie, three hours’ drive from his mountain home, as part of the government’s efforts to help the impoverished.
“I feel lucky after all and am looking forward to moving into the new house,” Yao said. “My son can receive better education in the city and I can find a job that involves manual labour. It will be a new start for us.”